Tornado damage can be severe, causing significant damage to your home and property. After a tornado, you rely on your property damage insurance policy to make repairs and recover financially. However, the claims process is often more complicated than it should be.
Understanding how to file a tornado damage insurance claim is essential to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve based on your policy coverage. When these steps do not work, you may want to turn to a Corpus Christi property damage claim insurance attorney to help you fight for the money you need for repairs.
What Steps Must I Take to File a Tornado Damage Insurance Claim in Texas?
Do the following to protect your right to compensation after a tornado.
Inform the Insurance Company of the Damage Right Away
Notify your insurance company that you have damage immediately after the storm. Most insurance providers require policyholders to report damage as soon as possible, so do not delay in contacting your insurance company. You do not want to give it a reason to deny your claim.
Your insurance provider may ask for the following:
- Your policy number and contact details
- A description of the damage
- The date and time the tornado occurred
Document All Your Damages With Photographs and Videos
Documentation is crucial with tornado damage insurance claims. Insurance companies often request evidence and may even use it to determine the extent of the damage and calculate an offer.
Take photographs and videos of all the damage caused by the tornado, including:
- Structural damage to the home
- Damage to personal property
- Damage to other structures, such as fences and garages
- Fallen trees
Make sure to capture wide-angle shots to show the overall damage, as well as close-ups of any specific issues. Date and timestamp your photos.
Your insurance company may also request that you make a list of your personal property losses. It may request that this include:
- Brand, model, and serial numbers of appliances and electronics
- The replacement cost for items that are destroyed or damaged beyond repair
- Any invoices, receipts, or purchase history for items
Since the insurance company will likely send an adjuster, you should not make repairs or throw away damaged items until the adjuster comes. However, you should make emergency repairs to prevent further damage if needed (see below.)
Review Your Policy Details So You Understand Your Coverage
Reviewing your insurance policy should give you a good idea of what damages your policy covers. Some things to check include:
- Does your policy specifically exclude tornadoes?
- Does it provide additional living expenses (ALE) if you cannot live in your home?
- What is your deductible?
- What is required for repair or replacement of personal property?
Keep Records of Your Communications with the Insurance Company
Keep records of your communication with the insurance company. This is important if there are any misunderstandings or issues later on in the process. Your records should include:
- The date and time of the conversation
- The name and contact details of the representative
- A summary of the discussion, including any promises made or actions taken
Avoid Further Damage by Making Emergency Repairs If Needed
While you generally should not begin repairs until after an insurance adjuster visits to view the damage, you must also take steps to prevent further damage to your property. It may be necessary to make some temporary repairs, including:
- Covering holes in the roof with a tarp
- Boarding up doors and windows to prevent theft or water intrusion
- Turning off the power, water, and gas supply
While the insurance company needs to see the damage, it likely also requires that you take reasonable steps to mitigate further damage after a tornado. If you fail to do so, it could use this as a reason to pay you less than your policy promises.
Keep any receipts for materials or services and document the damage with photos before you do anything. Your insurance should cover the cost of these temporary repairs, too.
We have offices in Houston, Corpus Christi, and Victoria; and will travel to any corner of Texas if we are capable of preventing an injustice.
When You Want an Attorney to Manage Your Tornado Damage Insurance Claim
In some cases, filing a tornado damage insurance claim becomes more challenging than expected. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or delay processing claims in an attempt to save money and protect their own bottom line.
It’s not uncommon for insurers to underpay or deny tornado claims altogether. This can occur even when the coverage is clearly promised by your policy.
Our Corpus Christi insurance claims lawyers can take the necessary steps to recover the compensation you deserve. This could include:
- Offering additional evidence and support for your claim
- Helping you document your damages, including inventorying personal property losses
- Negotiating with the insurance company to ensure that your claim is paid fairly and promptly
- Representing your best interests if your claim is delayed or denied
- Assisting with appealing a denied claim
- Filing a lawsuit if the insurance company continues to act in bad faith
Having a lawyer on your side managing your tornado damage claim can ensure you are treated fairly by your insurance company. Your policy is a contract, and the company must uphold its end of the deal.
Your attorney can protect your rights and advocate for the money you deserve throughout this process. They will ensure you are not left with the full financial burden of paying for your home repairs after a storm.
Discuss Your Texas Tornado Damage Insurance Claim With Our Team
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, we have more than 40 years of experience dealing with insurance companies and have recovered millions for clients we represented. We can help you, too. We are here for you after a major storm if you are struggling to get the money you need to make repairs.
Reach out to our team for a free consultation. We can help you understand your options and how our Corpus Christi homeowners insurance claim lawyer will approach your claim. You do not have to fight your insurance carrier on your own.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC we can talk to you about your options and rights.
